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Phage engineering for neural tissue regeneration

A.M. Merzlyak, S.W. LeeUC Berkeley, US

Keywords:phage, material, tissue engineering, neural progenitor cells

Abstract:In this study we demonstrate the utilization of genetically engineered M13 bacteriophage as a novel tissue engineering material that is able to both support and influence cell growth. Through genetic engineering, a high-density array of peptide-based signaling molecules (RGD, IKVAV) was displayed on all 2700 copies of its major coat proteins. We showed that the engineered phage are biocompatible with neural progenitor cells, and phage covered surfaces allow for both proliferation and differentiation of NPCs in defined media. Long-rod shape and monodispersity of the phage enable them to self-assemble into directionally ordered liquid crystalline structures. Utilizing SEM, POM and confocal microscopy we have demonstrated that the genetically modified phage can self assemble into directionally organized structures in both 2 and 3 dimensions, and in turn can dictate the alignment and direction of cell growth. This exploratory project has shown that engineered virus-based materials can be used as promising novel substrates for neural cell growth.